The Mediating Role of Early Maladaptive Schemas in the Relationship Between Attachment and Mental Health Symptoms of University Students

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of early maladaptive schemas on the relationship between attachment and mental health symptoms of university students. The study was conducted with 413 students studying in two different universities in Turkey. Data were collected using a Descriptive Information Form, Brief Symptom Inventory, Young Schema Questionnaire and Inventory of Parent Attachment. The obtained data were evaluated by constructing a structural equation model using the AMOS 23 V software. In the present study, it was found that insecure attachment to mothers and disconnection/rejection schema area exert a direct significant positive effect on depression and anxiety symptoms. The disconnection/rejection and impaired autonomy schema areas were observed to significantly and positively mediate insecure attachment to parents in explaining depression and anxiety symptoms. In line with these results, it was suggested that for individuals to establish trust-based relationships and maintain their mental health, replacing maladaptive schemas with realistic beliefs was important in terms of preventing mental illnesses from occurring, as the replacement of these schemas positively affected the mental well-being of university students.